6 Unexpected Health Benefits of Adding Mushrooms to Your Diet

Mushrooms are one of the most versatile and widely consumed kinds of food. A single serving can have anywhere from 10 to 1,000 or more milligrams of Vitamin D, as well as high amounts of potassium, copper, selenium, and riboflavin (vitamin B2). Here are six health benefits that might surprise you about the humble mushroom.

1) Boost Brain Function

Believe it or not, mushrooms can actually help improve your cognitive function and memory. A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that consuming just two grams of dried mushrooms daily for 16 weeks improved participants' scores on cognitive function tests. The active compounds in mushrooms, including hericystin and ergothioneine, are thought to be responsible for this brain-boosting effect.

2) Improve Liver Health

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It filters toxins out of the blood and helps to break down fats. mushrooms can help improve liver health by helping to detoxify the liver and improve its function.

3) Promote Skin Beauty

The skin is the largest organ in our body and one that we often neglect. Though we may not realize it, what we eat has a direct impact on the health and appearance of our skin. This is where mushrooms come in. While they may not be the most glamorous food, mushrooms are packed with nutrients that can benefit the skin.

4) Fight Inflammation

According to a study published in the journal Food & Function, mushrooms may help fight inflammation. The study found that certain compounds in mushrooms can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are molecules that play a role in inflammation.

5) Support Bone Density

According to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, mushrooms contain compounds that can help support bone density. The study found that when rats were given a diet supplemented with mushrooms, they had increased bone density and strength.

6) Prevent Hair Loss

One of the lesser-known benefits of mushrooms is that they can help prevent hair loss. That’s because they’re full of a nutrient called biotin, which is essential for healthy hair growth. In fact, biotin deficiency is one of the most common causes of hair loss. While you can get biotin from other foods, like eggs and nuts, mushrooms are one of the best sources. Just one cup of cooked mushrooms contains over 25% of the RDA for biotin.